in the aggregate they are
somewhat inconsiderate of the feelings of naval officers, they are
individually as amiable gentlemen and affectionate husbands as any other
men," said Jack. "My friend, Tom Somers, one of the most lucky dogs in
the service, who was a post-captain at five-and-twenty, tells a capital
story on the subject. He is, I must confess, impudence personified. He
was one day at the Admiralty, complaining to one of the lords, much in
the way that you are now doing, of their want of consideration for the
feelings of junior officers. The lord heard him out, and then asked him
to come and dine with him, which Tom condescended to do; and a very good
dinner, with a number of excellent wines, he enjoyed. His host produced
one bottle after the other of different descriptions, and of the
choicest. `And you like my wines?' he asked. `Excellent, all of them,
sir,' answered Tom. `I shouldn't mind dining with you once a week while
I remain on shore.' `Very well,' answered the lord: `but as I am
leaving home, and cannot have the pleasure of seeing you, I'll send you
a bottle, and you shall tell me how you like it.'

"The next day Tom received a bottle, tied significantly round with red
tape, for his host was somewhat of a wag. On tasting it, Tom poured out
a glass and drank it off, but the instant afterwards regretted his
precipitancy, for he declared that he had never tasted anything so
execrable. Just then his friend looked in upon him. `Well, Somers, how
did you like my wine?' he asked. `I can't say that I ever wish to take
another drop of it,' answered Tom. `Well, I sent you exactly the wines
you tasted at my house,' answered his visitor. `You, however, drank
them separately; I mixed them together, and you complain of the result.
Now if you take each of us lords by ourselves, you will find us as
well-disposed and amiable as most other men; but when we act together we
put aside all the gentle feelings of our nature, and form the stern,
unrelenting body you and others find us.' I believe, Julia, Tom gave a
very exact description of the Admiralty; and however much some of the
lords might be disposed to befriend me individually, I should ruin
myself in the service were I to plead that I have just married a wife,
and would rather not go to sea."

"Then is there no chance of your getting some other appointment?" asked
Julia, in a faltering tone.

"Not the slightest, I am afraid," answered Jack; "however